about the prospect of reaching a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff but cbs reporter danielle hotting ham said they're also sounding some alarms. >> reporter: the senate returns today with just five weeks left to hammer out a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff. republican senator bob corker says lawmakers need to show some political courage to prevent tax increases and spending cuts from taking effect january 1st. >> there's a menu of options on the revenue side and on the entitlement side, and while there are two parties, they are willing to solve this problem, this is a very easy thing to do technically. >> reporter: republicans are hinting they may be open to a compromise that raises revenue but many are still firm they won't let bush-era tax cuts expire for the wealthiest americans. >> i would be very much opposed to raising tax rates but i do believe we can close a lot of loop holes. >> reporter: democrats say just closing loop holes and limiting deductions is not enough to make a dent in the nation's $16 trillion deficit. >> you've got to raise additional revenues, including tax rate

the "fiscal cliff." he is meeting today and tomorrow with small business owners and middle class families and he will visit a small business in pennsylvania on friday. negotiations with republicans continue behind closed doors. a democratic senator says his side is willing to discuss reform of medicare and medicaid. >> the math just doesn't work anymore. not because the programs are bad but because thank goodness we're living longer. >> republicans are signalling they're open to compromise but so far, they still oppose the president's idea to raise taxes on the wealthy. instead, republican leaders want to limit tax deductions and loopholes without an agreement. across-the-board tax hikes will take effect on january 1 without an agreement. here's a breakdown of what would happen. for households earning 20 to $40,000, the tax increase would be $1,200. for householder, 40 to $64,000, the tax hike would be $2,000. and with those incomes of $64,000 up to 6 figures, it would be a $3,500 tax increase. >>> it's not all dire economic news. retailers are still looking for workers this holiday seaso

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